Counter ejector

ABSTRACT

In apparatus which counts the number of sheets accumulated on an elevator and then transfers the pile to a conveyor, some of the members which push the pile off the elevator onto the conveyor have an angled camming surface at their upper end.

United States Patent [1 1 Hitch et al.

[111 3,759,402 Sept. 18, 1973 COUNTER EJECTOR [75] Inventors: Thomas R.Hitch, Aldan; William J.

Wilson, Philadelphia, both of Pa.

[73] Assignee: Ilarris-Intertype Corporation,

Cleveland, Ohio 22 Filed: Apr. 10, 1972 21 App]. No.: 242,319

[52] US. Cl 214/6 H, 198/35, 271/88 [51] Int. Cl. B68g 57/00 [58] Fieldof Search 214/6 H, 6 D;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,401,809 9/1968 McCain eta1. 214/6 I-I 5/1971 Tolf 214/6 H 8/1971 Spencer 214/6 H PrimaryExaminer-Richard E. Aegerter Assistant Examiner-J1. S. LaneAttorney-Arthur H. Seidel et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT In apparatus which counts the number of sheets accumulatedon an elevator and then transfers the pile to a conveyor, some of themembers which push the pile off the elevator onto the conveyor have anangled camming surface at their upper end.

13 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTED 3, 759.402

FIG. 3 M2 40 COUNTER EIECTOR This invention is directed to a counterejector, namely, apparatus which counts the number of sheets ofpaperboard accumulated in a pile on an elevator, and then ejects thepile while a new pile is accumulating. As a pile is accumulating, it issupported on an elevator which moves downwardly as the height of theaccumulated pile increases. Means which is old and well known in the artis utilized to count the number of sheets. As the predetermined numberof sheets is attained on the pile, auxiliary means supports thebeginning of the new pile while the previous pile is pushed off theelevator onto a conveyor.

The means to push the accumulated pile off the elevator onto theconveyor is preferably in the form of a plurality of interconnectedupright pushing members. The sheets of paperboard are preferably foldedbox blanks whose adjacent edges have been taped, glued, or otherwisejoined together. As will be made clear hereinafter, there is a tendencyof the first box blank to be supported by the auxiliary means in amanner whereby the joint may loosen allowing the flaps to droop so thatthe upper end of the pushing members engages the flap on the box blankand causes a jam. Whenever the box blanks become jammed, the entiremachine must be stopped and the jam rectified.

In accordance with the present invention, some of the pushing membershave an upwardly angled surface at their upper end. This angled surfaceacts as a camming surface for camming up any downwardly extending flapswhich extend below the plane of the auxiliary support means. Hence, asthe pushing means moves forward to transfer an accumulated pile ofpredetermined number of box blanks off the elevator, the angled surfaceon the pushing members cams up any downwardly extending flaps on thebottom box blank supported by the auxiliary support means.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel counterejector which is less likely to jam as compared with such devicesproposed heretofore.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a counterejector with a pushing means which will cam upwardly any downwardlyextending flaps on folded box blanks held by auxiliary support meanswhile the pushing members are transferring an accumulated pile of boxblanks from an elevator to a conveyor.

It is another object of the present invention to pro vide a counterejector having a novel pushing means for ejecting an accumulated pile ofbox blanks whereby jams can be avoided in existing machines by merelysubstituting novel pushing members.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel counterejector which avoids jams of box blanks held by auxiliary support meansin a manner which is simple, economical and reliable.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in thedrawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood,however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangementsand instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a counter ejector in accordancewith the present invention and the discharge end of a folder-gluer.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 22 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 21, but showing the elevator in itslowermost position and the pushing means in an extended position.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4--4 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the pushing means.

FIG. 6 is an end view diagrammatically illustrating the manner in whichthe first box blank is supported by the auxiliary support means.

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic elevation view showing how the pushing meanscould cause a jam by contacting the lowermost box blank on the auxiliarysupport means.

FIG. 8 is a schematic hydraulic diagram for operating the elevator andthe pushing means.

FIG. 9 is a schematic pneumatic diagram for operating the auxiliarysupport.

Referring to the drawing in detail, wherein like numerals indicate likeelements, there is shown in FIG. 1 a counter ejector in accordance withthe present invention designated generally as 10 and positioned toreceive folded box blanks from any source such as a folder-gluerdesignated generally as 12. The box blanks are fed by the foldergluer 12in the direction of arrow 14 toward the counter ejector 10.

The portionof the folder-gluer 112 shown in FIG. 1 is the discharge endthereof and includes rollers 16 which support the box blanks being fed.The box blanks are moved across the rollers 16 in the direction of arrow14 by endless belts 18 and 2 0. 7

The folded blanks are fed under ejector roll 26 and under deflector bar28. Roll 26 and bar 28 are parallel to one another and are above theinclined plane defined by the axes of rotation of the rollers 16.Contact between a box blank and the bar 28 causes the box blank to bedeflected downwardly.

As the box blanks move beneath the ejector roll 26, they travel overguide rollers 30 at "the discharge end of feeder-gluer l2. Spanker 32 isguided on tracks 35 by means of rollers 33.

The box blanks continue moving until they contact a backstop 34. Aftercontacting the backstop 34, the blanks drop onto a horizontal elevator36 where. they accumulate. The boxblanks are held in a collapsedposition by pressurized air discharging from the blower 22 which has anactuator 24 for controlling the flow of air. Elevator 36 may assume awide variety of constructions. Elevator 36 is preferably a plurality ofcantilever f'mgers.38 interconnected at one end by a transverse member40. Member 40 is provided with rollers 42 at its ends in rollingengagement with a guide track 44.

Conventional counting means are provided for counting the number of boxblanks as they accumulate on the elevator 36. After apredeterminednumber of box blanks has been accumulated on the elevator 36,

a pushing or ejecting means transfer the accumulated pile from theelevator 36 onto a conveyor 46. Since the means for counting the boxblanks as they accumulate on the elevator 36, as wellas the means forcausing the elevator 36 to descend as the height of the pile increases,are old and well known in the art, it is deemed not necessary toillustrate or describe the same.

The means for pushing a pile off the elevator 36 onto the conveyor 46comprises a pushing means designated generally as 48. The pushing means48 is preferably a plurality of upright pushing members 50 and 50 spacedfrom one another by a sufficient distance so that the fingers 38 mayextend between adjacent pushing members. At their lower ends, themembers 50 and 50' are integral with a transverse bar 52. The number ofpushing members 50 exceeds the number of pushing members 50. Each of thepushing members 50 has an inclined camming surface 56 at its upper end.

Each of the members 50 and 50 is connected to a horizontally disposedand rearwardly extending leg member 58. Each of the members 58 isintegral with or connected to a transverse bar 60. The ends of bar 60are provided with rollers 62 which ride on tracks 64. The ends of bar 52are provided with rollers 53 which ride on tracks 54.

The tracks 54 and 64 are parallel to one another but at differentelevations. Thus, see FIGS. 1 and 3 which illustrate track 64 being at ahigher elevation. Each of the tracks 54 and 64 is provided with a safetylimit stop. A driving means such as a hydraulic motor is connected tothe bar 60 or any other convenient portion of the pushing means 48 toselectively reciprocate the pushing means toward and away from theconveyor 46. Circuitry for effecting movement of the pushing means 48,to be described hereinafter, is synchronized with the counter so thattransfer off the elevator 36 onto the conveyor 46 is effected afteraccumulation of a predetermined number of box blanks.

The backstop 34 is preferably movable toward and away from the ejectorroll 26 to accommodate different sized box blanks. Thus, the ends of thebackstop 34 are each supported by a carriage designated generally as 66.Each of the carriages 66 is provided with rollers 68 in rolling contactwith a track 70. Any suitable adjusting means such as lead screw 72 maybe connected to the carriage 66 to facilitate adjustment of the backstop34.

As shown more clearly in FIGS. 1 and 4, a pair of carriages 74 and 76are provided between the ejector roll 26 and the backstop 34. Each ofthe carriages is alike. Accordingly, only carriage 74 will be describedin detail.

The carriage 74 is provided with an auxiliary support finger 78 whichextends toward the corresponding support finger 80 on carriage 76. Thefinger 78 supports a side edge of box blanks which are accumulatingwhile an accumulated pile is being transferred off the elevator 36 ontothe conveyor 46.

Carriage 74 is adjustable toward and away from the carriage 76. so as toaccommodate different sized box blanks. Thus, carriage 74 is providedwith rollers 82 which roll on a track on the inner surface of a U-shapedframe 84. The carriage 74 is similarly supported by the frame 84. I

Rollers 66 are provided at each end of the frame 84.

Rollers 86 are in rolling contact with a track 88 at each end of theframe 84. Any convenient adjusting means such as a lead screw 90 isconnected to theframe 84 for adjusting the position of the carriages 74and 76 toward and away from the longitudinal axis of ejector roll 26. Inthis manner, the auxiliary support fingers 78 and 80 on the carriages 74and 76 may be adjusted to accommodate to different lengths and widths ofbox blanks which are being processed.

The spanker 32 is provided with a plurality of upright slots 92. Rearauxiliary fingers 94 extend through each of the slots 92. Each of thefingers 94 is disposed above one of the pusher members 50.

Each of the fingers 94 is connected to an extensible member such as thepiston rod extending from pneumatic cylinder 95, so that the fingers 94may be reciprocated to a position wherein they project through the slots92. A means to be described hereinafter will facilitate pivotablemovement of the fingers 94 about shaft 97 from an elevated position asshown in FIG. 2 to a lower position as shown in FIG. 3.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 8, the pushing means 48 is horizontallyreciprocated in synchronism with the vertical reciprocation of theelevator 36 by means of a hydraulic circuit. The hydraulic circuitincludes a pump having its inlet communicating with a hydraulic liquidin supply tank 122. The output of pump 120 is connected to one end ofcylinder 126 which controls vertical movement of the elevator 36.Conduit 128 contains a valve 124 which is solenoid-operated. The otherend of cylinder 126 communicates with the tank 122 by way of conduit 130and valve 124.

A conduit 132 extends between conduit 128 and a reversible hydraulicmotor 134. The motor 134 communicates with the tank 122 by way ofconduit 136. Flow through the conduits 132 and 136 is controlled by asolenoid-operated valve 140. Motor 134 is connected to the driven rollerof aset of rollers around which extends an endless member 138 which hasa portion thereof connected to the pushing means. Hence, operation ofmotor 134 causes the pushing means 48 to reciprocate.

4 In FIG. 9, there is illustrated pneumatic circuitry for effectingoperation of the auxiliary support, namely horizontal reciprocation ofthe auxiliary support fingers 78 and 80 as well as movement of the rearfingers 94. The pneumatic circuitry includes a source of pressurized airsuch as air compressor 144.

Pressurized air from air compressor 144 is communicated by wayof conduit146 to one end of cylinder 150. The other end of cylinder 150 isconnected by conduit 152 to a muffler 154 having an air discharge. Asolenoid-controlled valve 148 extends across conduits 146 and 152 and isbiased by a spring or other means to the position shown in FIG. 9.Cylinder 150 controls horizontal reciprocation of fingers 78 toward andaway from finger 80.

A conduit 156 extends from conduit 146 to one end of cylinder 160. Theother end of cylinder 160 is connected to conduit 152 by means ofconduit 162. A valve 158, similar to valve 148, extends across conduits156 and 162. Cylinder 160 controls horizontal reciprocation of finger 80toward and away from finger 78.

A conduit 188 extends from conduit 146 to one end of cylinder 184. Theother end of cylinder 184 is connected to conduit 152 by means ofconduit 186. A valve 190, similar to valve 148, is coupled acrossconduits 186 and 188 and controls flow therethrough.

Cylinder 150 and cylinder 160 are connected through link 192 to thepiston rod of cylinder 184. Reciprocal movement of the piston incylinder 184 produces corresponding movement of cylinders 150 and 160effecting thereby a change of the vertical position or elevation offingers 78 and 80. Cylinder 184 and link l92 are disposed in and/orsupported by frame 84.

A conduit 164 extends from conduit 146 to one end of the cylinder 95.The other end of cylinder 95 is connected to conduit 152 by way ofconduit 168. A valve 166, similar to valve 148, is connected across theconduits 164 and 168. As pointed out above, cylinder 95 controls thehorizontal reciprocation of the fingers 94 so that they may extendthrough the slots 92.

As shown more clearly in FIGS. 2 and 9, the fingers 94 and theircylinders 95 are adapted for a limited amount of pivotable movement withrespect to shaft 97. Such pivotable movement is effected by means of alink 179 which is pivotably connected to a rotatable disk 172.Diametrically opposite the location where link 1179 is pivotablyconnected to disk 172, said disk is pivotably connected to one end of apiston rod 174 associated with cylinder 176.

One end of cylinder 176 is connected to conduit 146 by means of conduit178. The other end of cylinder 176 is connected to conduit 152 byconduit 182. A valve 180, similar to valve 148, is connected acrossconduits 178 and 182.

Electrical circuitry associated with the various solenoids for thevalves, relays and limit switches are not shown in the drawing, but area conventional arrangement obvious to anyone skilled in the art.Accordingly, a detailed description of the same is not deemed necessary.

The present invention is utilized as follows:

Box blanks 98 are fed to the counter ejector by the folder gluer 12. Thebox blanks contact backstop 34 and settle downwardly onto the fingers 38of the elevator 36. As the height of the pile 99 of box blanks 98accumulates on the elevator 36, the elevator 36 slowly descends due topressurized fluid being evacuated from cylinder 126 via conduit 130.

When the predetermined number of box blanks 98 has accumulated on thepile 99, the following occurs simultaneously. Fingers 78 and 89 aremoved toward each other by cylinders 159 and 160 respectively. Fingers94 are moved forwardlylthrough slot 92 by cylinder 95, but still attheir elevated position. Fingers 78, 80 and 94 then descend to theposition shown in FIG. 3. Fingers 78 and 80 are lowered by cylinder 184acting through link 192 connecting cylinders 150 and 160. When fingers94 attain a position immediately above pusher fingers 50, pusher means48 is advanced from right to left as shown in FIG. 3 by the endlessmember 138 of the driving means, transferring thereby the pile 99 ontoconveyor 46.

While the pile 99 is being transferred off the elevator 36, the feedingof additional box blanks 98 is not interrupted. The next box blanks 98are temporarily supported in a pile by the auxiliary support meansincluding the fingers 78 and 80 on opposite sides of the box blanks aswell as the rear fingers 94. The first box blank for the next pile to beaccumulated is designated as 98 in FIG. 6. The box blank 98' has atendency to expand from its collapsed folded position to that asillustrated in FIG. 6. In doing so, there is a tendency for the joinededges to separate from one another and for one to project below theplane of the fingers 94. As the pushing members 50 and 50' move fromright to left in FIGS. 2 and 3, the upper end of the pushing memberscould contact the downwardly projecting flap 110 and cause a jam. Thecamming surfaces 56 on the pushing members 50 will cam upwardly the flap1 10 so as to prevent any jam whereby the box blank 98 would be crushedagainst the backstop 34. It will be noted that each of the members 50'is directly below one of the fingers 94 and therefore does not need acam surface comparable to surface 56.

After the pusher 48 has delivered a pile of counted boxes onto conveyor46, the pusher 48 retracts from left to right asshown-in FIG. 3 andelevator 38 moves upward by means of admittance of pressurized fluidfrom conduit 130 to cylinder 126. As soon as the elevator 36 is in itselevated position and pusher 48 is retracted to the position shown inFIG. 2, the fingers 78, 80 and 94 retract to their inoperative positionsdepositing thereby on elevator 36the box blanks which had been detained.

While'the angle of surface 56 may be varied as desired, we prefer to usean angle of between 20 and Due to the fact that certain components suchas cylinders are movable, flexible conduits are used where needed.Conventional counting means is used to initiate closing of a relay tocontrol operation of the solenoids for the valves in FIGS. 9 and 10. Itwill be appreciated that the pushing means 48 has separate sales valueas a replacement part for existing pushers in the field in addition toits sales value as an integrated part of a new machine.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications may be made within the spirit of this invention. Thus, ifdesired two separate backstops may be used in place of the singlebackstop disclosed above. In that event, one backstop and the spanker 32would be located upstream from the ejector roll 26 at which location theblanks would temporarily accumulate to permit the glue to set. Backstop34 would still be retained as disclosed herein for receiving the blankswhich had been accumulated upstream therefrom.

Also, the rear fingers 94 need not extend through slots such as slots92. Instead, rear fingers 94 may be disposed at an elevation below theelevation of a plate or wall located at the position of spanker 32 asillustrated herein.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and,accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, ratherthan to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of theinvention.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for collecting and ejecting a pile of a predeterminednumber of sheets comprising an elevator on which sheets are to beaccumulated, conveyor means for transporting sheets to the elevator anddepositing them in a downward direction onto the elevator, pushing meansadjacent the elevator for pushing a pile of a predetermined number ofsheets off the elevator, said pushing means including a plurality ofupright pushing members, some of said pushing members having a cammingsurface at their upper end, said camming surfaces being inclinedupwardly and awayfrom said elevator, with the remainder of said pushingmembers having a pushing surface which extends to an elevation which isabove the elevation of the lower end of said camming surfaces, and meanssupporting said pushing members for reciprocation in a direction acrossthe elevator.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said elevator includes aplurality of horizontally disposed cantilevered fingers extendablebetween adjacent pushing members over the elevator.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said pushing means issupported by parallel tracks at different elevations.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including a spanker, meansdefining slots in the spanker, rear auxiliary fingers extensible to aposition through the slot for supporting a rear portion of a sheet, eachrear auxuilary finger being disposed above one of the pushing memberswhich lacks a camming surface.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including a conveyor forreceiving ejected piles of sheets from the elevator and disposed on oneside of the elevator, the discharge end of a folder-gluer being disposedon the side of the elevator opposite said conveyor, the discharge end ofthe folder-gluer including said conveyor means for delivering box blanksto the elevator, and a backstop against which box blanks may contactunder the momentum imparted thereto by said conveyor means.

6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including a backstop, meanssupporting the backstop for adjustment toward and away from a verticalplane containing the pushing members, the backstop being supported bycarriages riding on tracks above the elevation of the backstop.

7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including auxiliary supportmeans above the elevation of the elevator for selectively supporting anew pile while the pushing means is transferring an accumulated pile offthe elevator.

8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein said auxiliary supportmeans includes rear fingers extensible for supporting sheets, each ofsaid rear fingers being disposed above one of the pushing members whichlacks a camming surface.

9. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including discrete hydraulicmotive means for said pushing means and for said elevator, each coupledto valved circuitry which includes a pump.

10. Apparatus in accordance with claim 12 wherein said pushing membershave a generally horizontal leg member extending from their upper end ina direction away from the elevator so as to be L-shaped, said cammingsurfaces being at the intersection of said leg member and the uprightpushing members.

11. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including a track forreciprocably supporting said leg members.

12. An article of manufacture comprising a pushing means for pushing apile of sheets off an elevator, said pushing means including a pluralityof spaced upright pushing members arranged in a row, a first group ofsaid pushing members having a pushing surface, said pushing surfaceslying in an upright plane, a second group of said pushing members havinga camming surface at their upper end, each camming surface beinginclined upwardly and away from said plane, said pushing surfaces onsaid first group extending to an elevation above the elevation of thelower end of said camming surfaces.

13. An article in accordcnce with claim 1 wherein the number of saidmembers having a camming surface exceeds the number of said remainder.

1. Apparatus for collecting and ejecting a pile of a predeterminednumber of sheets comprising an elevator on which sheets are to beaccumulated, conveyor means for transporting sheets tO the elevator anddepositing them in a downward direction onto the elevator, pushing meansadjacent the elevator for pushing a pile of a predetermined number ofsheets off the elevator, said pushing means including a plurality ofupright pushing members, some of said pushing members having a cammingsurface at their upper end, said camming surfaces being inclinedupwardly and away from said elevator, with the remainder of said pushingmembers having a pushing surface which extends to an elevation which isabove the elevation of the lower end of said camming surfaces, and meanssupporting said pushing members for reciprocation in a direction acrossthe elevator.
 2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein saidelevator includes a plurality of horizontally disposed cantileveredfingers extendable between adjacent pushing members over the elevator.3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said pushing means issupported by parallel tracks at different elevations.
 4. Apparatus inaccordance with claim 1 including a spanker, means defining slots in thespanker, rear auxiliary fingers extensible to a position through theslot for supporting a rear portion of a sheet, each rear auxuilaryfinger being disposed above one of the pushing members which lacks acamming surface.
 5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including aconveyor for receiving ejected piles of sheets from the elevator anddisposed on one side of the elevator, the discharge end of afolder-gluer being disposed on the side of the elevator opposite saidconveyor, the discharge end of the folder-gluer including said conveyormeans for delivering box blanks to the elevator, and a backstop againstwhich box blanks may contact under the momentum imparted thereto by saidconveyor means.
 6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including abackstop, means supporting the backstop for adjustment toward and awayfrom a vertical plane containing the pushing members, the backstop beingsupported by carriages riding on tracks above the elevation of thebackstop.
 7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including auxiliarysupport means above the elevation of the elevator for selectivelysupporting a new pile while the pushing means is transferring anaccumulated pile off the elevator.
 8. Apparatus in accordance with claim7 wherein said auxiliary support means includes rear fingers extensiblefor supporting sheets, each of said rear fingers being disposed aboveone of the pushing members which lacks a camming surface.
 9. Apparatusin accordance with claim 1 including discrete hydraulic motive means forsaid pushing means and for said elevator, each coupled to valvedcircuitry which includes a pump.
 10. Apparatus in accordance with claim12 wherein said pushing members have a generally horizontal leg memberextending from their upper end in a direction away from the elevator soas to be L-shaped, said camming surfaces being at the intersection ofsaid leg member and the upright pushing members.
 11. Apparatus inaccordance with claim 1 including a track for reciprocably supportingsaid leg members.
 12. An article of manufacture comprising a pushingmeans for pushing a pile of sheets off an elevator, said pushing meansincluding a plurality of spaced upright pushing members arranged in arow, a first group of said pushing members having a pushing surface,said pushing surfaces lying in an upright plane, a second group of saidpushing members having a camming surface at their upper end, eachcamming surface being inclined upwardly and away from said plane, saidpushing surfaces on said first group extending to an elevation above theelevation of the lower end of said camming surfaces.
 13. An article inaccordcnce with claim 1 wherein the number of said members having acamming surface exceeds the number of said remainder.